His Holiness the Dalai Lama Leaves for US Visit
[Tuesday, 16 February 2010, 3:40 p.m.]
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to Tibetans after leading a prayer ceremony marking the Tibetan New Year at Tsuglagkhang, the Buddhist main temple, in Dharamsala on 15 February 2010/AP Photo |
Dharamshala: Hundreds of Tibetans and well-wishers, carrying khata (traditional
scarves), incense and flowers, lined on a long stretch of road in
Dharamsala to greet His Holiness the Dalai Lama who left this afternoon
for a ten-day visit to the United States.
scarves), incense and flowers, lined on a long stretch of road in
Dharamsala to greet His Holiness the Dalai Lama who left this afternoon
for a ten-day visit to the United States.
The visit is due to start from 17 February.
The
highlight of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s US visit will be his first
meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House on 18 February.
Mr Obama said he would have an “engaging and constructive” dialogue
with His Holiness.
highlight of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s US visit will be his first
meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House on 18 February.
Mr Obama said he would have an “engaging and constructive” dialogue
with His Holiness.
Mr Tenzin Taklha, Joint Secretary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama told AFP
news agency that His Holiness would brief President Obama on the
situation in Tibet and on the latest round of talks between his envoys
and the Chinese authorities.
news agency that His Holiness would brief President Obama on the
situation in Tibet and on the latest round of talks between his envoys
and the Chinese authorities.
Mr Taklha said: “No matter what China says, China cares about international opinion”.
“For us, the main issue is the six million people in Tibet and their well-being,” Mr Taklha said.
“The
president’s meeting with His Holiness is an expression of the
international community’s concern and it sends a strong signal to the
Chinese that they need to work with us to reach a solution,” AFP quoted Mr Taklha as saying.
president’s meeting with His Holiness is an expression of the
international community’s concern and it sends a strong signal to the
Chinese that they need to work with us to reach a solution,” AFP quoted Mr Taklha as saying.
His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Secretary Chhime Chhoekyapa said the White
House meeting would also send a comforting signal to those living in
Tibet.
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Secretary Chhime Chhoekyapa said the White
House meeting would also send a comforting signal to those living in
Tibet.
“They
will feel encouraged that the president of the United States, a global
superpower, is meeting with His Holiness. It means the world has not
forgotten them,” Mr Chhoekyapa told AFP.
will feel encouraged that the president of the United States, a global
superpower, is meeting with His Holiness. It means the world has not
forgotten them,” Mr Chhoekyapa told AFP.
 |
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama waves to people from inside a car as he leaves from a temple to an airport in the northern Indian hill town of Mcleodganj on 16 February 2010/Reuters Photo |
In
Washington, His Holiness will also receive the Democracy Service Medal
from the National Endowment for Democracy on 19 February.
His Holiness will give a series of public talks on cultivating compassion and world peace in California and Florida.
At
the invitation of Whole Child International, His Holiness will give a
public address entitled Cultivating Compassion and the Needs of
Vulnerable Children at the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Citywalk,
on 21 February.
the invitation of Whole Child International, His Holiness will give a
public address entitled Cultivating Compassion and the Needs of
Vulnerable Children at the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Citywalk,
on 21 February.
On
23 February, His Holiness will give a talk on “Global Compassion” at
the arena at D. Taft University Center, Nova Southeastern University in
Fort Lauderdale (Davie), Florida.
23 February, His Holiness will give a talk on “Global Compassion” at
the arena at D. Taft University Center, Nova Southeastern University in
Fort Lauderdale (Davie), Florida.
His
Holiness will give a public talk on “Compassion as a Pillar of World
Peace” at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton campus in Palm Beach
(Boca Raton), Florida, on 24 February.
Holiness will give a public talk on “Compassion as a Pillar of World
Peace” at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton campus in Palm Beach
(Boca Raton), Florida, on 24 February.
On
24 February, His Holiness will lead a discussion with south Florida’s
FACU Presidents on “The Responsibilities of Ethics in Higher Education
In Today’s Society” to be held at Broward College in Palm Beach (Boca
Raton), Florida.
24 February, His Holiness will lead a discussion with south Florida’s
FACU Presidents on “The Responsibilities of Ethics in Higher Education
In Today’s Society” to be held at Broward College in Palm Beach (Boca
Raton), Florida.
